A17643:983
Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans
A commentary upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans, written in Latin by M. John Calvin, and newly translated into English by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessary table for the better and more ready finding out of certain principal matters contained in this workA commentarie vpon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes, written in Latine by M. Iohn Caluin, and newely translated into Englishe by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessarie table for the better and more readie finding out of certayne principall matters conteyned in this worke
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison and George Bishop, 1583London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison and George Bishop, 1583
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And because they are not easily bridled, who once have bin taken with this unbridled affection, by a sweet speech he doeth (as it were) lay hands upon us, that he might restrain us, whiles he, calleth us beloved. This then is the precept, that we neither revenge, nor seek to revenge the injuries done. The reason is added ⟨image 185⟩because we must give place to wrath. And to give place unto wrath, is to yield unto the Lord the power of judging, which they take from him, that take upon them revengement. Wherefore if it be a great sin to usurp the turn or course of God, then is it not lawful to revenge: for so we prevent the judgment of God, who will have this reserved to himself. And withal he insinuateth, that they who patiently expect his help, shall have God their revenger: but they who prevent him, leave no place for the help of God. Moreover he doth not only here forbid, that we execute revengement our selves, with our own hands, but also that our hart should be tempted with any such desire▪ it is therefore superfluous to distinguish between public & private revengement. For he is no more excusable, who with an evil mind, & desirous of revengement, seeketh the help of the magistrate, than he who deviseth what way he may revenge by himself. Yea revengement is not alway to be desired of God, as we shall see straightways: because if our prayers proceed from a private affection, & not from the pure zeal of the spirit, we do not so much procure the Lord to be our judge, as we make him the minister or executioner, of our wicked concupiscence. Therefore we do not otherwise give place unto wrath, than when with quiet minds we expect a fit time of deliverance: in the mean while wishing that they who are now our adversaries, by repenting may become our friends. For it is written. 1He bringeth a proof taken out of the song Moses, where the Lord denounceth himself, to be the revenger of his enemies. And those are the enemies of god, who vex his servants without cause. He ye toucheth you (quoth the Lord) toucheth the apple of mine eye. Let us therefore be content with this consolation, that neither they shall escape unpunished, who trouble us without a cause: neither shall we by suffering make our selves more subject, or more open for the injuries of the wicked: but rather we shall give place unto yt Lord, (who is out only revenger & deliverer) that he may help us.